Large Animal Clinic
Small Animal Clinic
52 Campus Drive Saskatoon SK S7N 5B4
Tel: 306-966-7178 Fax: 306-966-7152
Email: vmccorrespond@usask.ca
Web: www.usask.ca/vmc
52 Campus Drive Saskatoon SK S7N 5B4
Tel: 306-966-7126 Fax: 306-966-7156
Email: vmccorrespond@usask.ca
Web: www.usask.ca/vmc
Cataract Surgery: Information for Referring Veterinarians
Animal owners: Please give this information sheet to your veterinarian if you have elected for cataract surgery.
If you have referred an animal for cataract surgery, there are a few important things you should know and
do to give the animal the best chance at a positive outcome.
Prior to cataract surgery:
• A general physical examination is needed including examination of the skin, teeth, and ears. Any
infections should be resolved prior to surgery. If dental disease is present, a dental cleaning should be
done at least two weeks before the surgery date.
• Diabetic dogs should be well regulated and clear of urinary tract infections. A urinalysis and urine culture
should be completed one week prior to the surgery date. Ketonuria indicates diabetic control is not
optimum. Urinary tract infections will require resolution prior to surgery. Surgery will be rescheduled if
either of these conditions are detected.
• All dogs with cataracts of immature, mature or hypermature stages should be treated with topical
Voltaren (diclofenac) twice daily to control lens-induced uveitis. This should be initiated at the time of
diagnosis of the cataracts and must be continued until surgery. Dogs should be on topical antiinflammatory medications for at least two weeks before surgery.
Following cataract surgery:
• The most common post-operative complications are elevations in intraocular pressure and corneal
ulcerations.
• Our regular recheck schedule is within 24 hours of the client returning home after surgery, then at one
week, three weeks, six weeks, 12 weeks, six months and yearly after surgery. Overall it is recommended
that these rechecks be performed by a veterinary ophthalmologist. However, if your client is not located
in the Saskatoon area, you may be responsible for the majority of the follow-up after cataract surgery.
• If you will be performing the majority of the rechecks, we ask that rechecks be performed similar to our
schedule detailed above.
• At each recheck, we ask that you perform bilateral Schirmer tear tests, fluorescein stain, and intraocular
pressure measurements. Although each case may vary some guidelines for treatment are provided
below:
- If the intraocular pressure is 25-35mmHg, please initiate topical Cosopt (dorzolamide/timolol
combination) three times daily. Re-evaluate the intraocular pressure within 24 hours.
- If the intraocular pressure is 35 mmHg or greater, please initiate Travatan or Xalatan (a
prostaglandin analogue) twice daily. Re-evaluate the intraocular pressure within 24 hours.
- If a corneal ulceration is present, please temporarily discontinue the topical prednisolone acetate
and increase the Voltaren frequency to compensate. If the ulcer is complex in nature, assessment
by an ophthalmologist is recommended as many of these ulcers require surgical repair. Re-initiate
the topical prednisolone acetate when the ulcer has resolved.
- If the STT is less than 12 mm/min, please initiate topical Optimmune twice daily and continue
topical lubrication.
To aid in the best care and treatment regime of the patient, we ask that you contact us with your recheck
findings and any medication changes.
Please call the Small Animal Clinic at 306-966-7126 or for less immediate advice, please email
wcvmeyevet@gmail.com.
For more information, contact:
Small Animal Clinic
WCVM Veterinary Medical Centre
306-966-7126